Community and events
2.8 million registered motorcycles
Scooters and mopeds are a hugely popular mode of transport in Greece – by some estimates, they’re owned by over a quarter of the population. However, two-wheelers are seen more as a functional necessity for traversing the country’s hilly landscapes, and festivals and rallies are fairly rare.
Top Routes
The Peloponnese
There are dozens of great routes around the spectacular peninsula of southern Greece. An unforgettable (and lengthy) circuit could begin at Delphi, at the foot of Mount Parnassus, before following the coast through Loutraki and Tolo, then on through Kalamata to reach Olympia – the site of the ancient Olympic Games – and finally return across the Rio-Antirrio bridge.
Chania to Palaiochora, Crete
The route from historic Chania to the hippy hangout of Palaiochora has some amazing roads fit for the adventurous biker. While on Crete, don’t miss the chance to take a ride through the Samaria Gorge or the equally impressive Agiofagaro Gorge on the southern coast.
Safety and the law
9.1 annual road fatalities per 100,000 people (2012)
PTWs account for 30% of fatalities (2011)
Unfortunately, Greece has some pretty shocking road safety statistics, despite making improvements in recent years (it used to have the highest road fatality rate in Europe; now it’s just one of the highest). Motorcyclists bear the brunt of nearly a third of accidents, although this can partly be attributed to the high levels of two-wheeler ownership in Greece.
There are no special lanes or rules for motorcycles in Greece, and motorcyclists and drivers alike have a reputation for driving without due care and attention – bear this in mind when you’re out and about.
Language
51% of population speak English
Younger Greeks are more likely to speak English than the older generation, as English was added to the school curriculum around 40 years ago. Road signs have a translation from the Greek to Latin alphabet in larger cities, but less so elsewhere, which can make it tricky to figure out what they mean.
